FIFA World Cup 2018: Russia stuns Egypt 3-1 for second win
The hosts Russia has every reason to celebrate as it stunned Mohammad Salah's Pharaohs 3-1 to record a back to back win in Group A, its first since 1982, and move a step closer to the round of 16 in the FIFA World Cup 2018 at St Petersburg on Tuesday.
And it is almost end of road for Egypt as it suffered its second reverse in as many matches.
The Russia-Egypt match would also go down in the annals of history as it witnessed both an "own goal" and a penalty goal. Both of these were credited to the account of Pharaohs.
A self-goal or own goal had set the Russian victory in motion. Supplemented by brilliant efforts by the first game heroes and goal scorers - Denis Cheryshew and Dzyuba - Russia looked winners throughout the second half as Mohammed Salah playing his first World Cup game scored the only goal for Egypt.
Russia had beaten Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the first game. With a flattering 3-1 in the second game today, the home team is well on its way to play the pre-quarter finals.
Besides Mohammad Salah, even the captain of the Egyptian team, Ahmed Fathi, would love to forget this game as quickly as possible. It was he who while tracking Dzyuba shot the ball into his own goal past helpless El Shenawy.
This was the fifth "own goal" of the 2018 World Cup. In 1998, a record number of six "own goals" were scored.
Three goals within 16 minutes had the Stadium on fire as the Russian fans did not expect this superb performance from their star players.
It was in the 73rd minute that after VAR review, a penalty was awarded to Egypt. The award followed tripping of Mohammed Salah inside the box. The Egyptian star kicked in the centre of the roof of the net as a consolation for fans of the African team.
